Dear Centennial PS Families -
We have had a fun and festive week at Centennial! There have been lots of fall-themed activities in classrooms, Diwali crafts, as well as a spirit day on Thursday and an end of week dance party on Friday afternoon. The weather has been gorgeous and we are taking advantage of the beautiful fall surroundings! Students are learning and having so much fun! A few highlights from the week include field trips to Little Cataraqui Creek and to meet PenPals in Sydenham, a "museum" in Grade 4 with primary classes visiting, dancing to festive tunes on the tarmac on Thursday, pumpkin-themed learning (and cooking and baking!) as well as use of new math materials and story books that have arrived.
This week the School Council went all out with 2 terrific events! The family dance on Tuesday was incredibly well attended - thank you! There were lots of families dressed in costumes and there was lots of fun dancing, playing games, using the photo booth, and enjoying delicious treats at the bake sale. On Friday evening the Pumpkin Walk saw more than 50 pumpkins on display on the tarmac. Families and community enjoyed coming together to check out the festive carvings. Huge thanks to the hard working School Council for organizing and hosting both of these events!
While students are well into school routines, there are a few expectations that we are hoping families can help to reinforce at home. We have received information from several bus drivers and companies that students are eating on the bus (and leaving a mess). Students are reminded that there is no eating on the bus, as it can pose a safety concern (choking). We will be reminding students of this regularly and appreciate the support from home about this as well.
This coming week we will be spending some time preparing for Remembrance Day. We are thankful for the many resources and opportunities provided by both the LDSB team as well as Veterans Affairs. Each class will prepare a wreath and we will be holding a Remembrance Day assembly on Monday November 11th at 10am in the gym. Families are welcome to attend.
In November, we honour National Indigenous Education Month across the Limestone District School Board. During this month, educators are encouraged to learn and teach about Indigenous perspectives, histories, and realities, while using authentic Indigenous voices and resources in the classroom. We take this time to celebrate the unique cultures and languages of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Turtle Island and to reflect upon the diversity and brilliance of Indigenous communities.
This weekend the clocks "fall back" to Standard Time. Families are reminded to set clocks back 1 hour today (if you haven't already done so). Often the changing of the clocks signals the start of the later fall season and cooler weather. While we have been spoiled with sunny skies, no doubt there will be changes coming. Including an extra layer in a backpack can help with comfort while out for the 2 recess breaks each day.
We hope all families are having a terrific weekend! As always, we are grateful for the support of parents/guardians and the community. See you on Monday!
-Deborah Thompson, Principal & the Centennial PS Team
Upcoming Dates
Monday November 4 - Grade 4, 5, and 5/6 Trip to Grand Theatre
Monday November 4 - School Council Event Planning Meeting - all welcome!
Tuesday November 5 - Boys Volleyball at Molly Brant (after school)
Wednesday November 6 - Last day for Dielemans Fundraising
Thursday November 7 - Girls Volleyball at Molly Brant (after school)
Monday November 11 - Remembrance Day assembly in the gym
Tuesday November 12 - Photo Retake Day & Class Photo Day
Friday November 15 - Progress Report Cards go home
Friday November 15 - Kinder C to Library
Friday November 22 - PA Day - no school for students
Monday November 25 - School Council Meeting - all welcome!
Tuesday November 26 - Dental Screening
Wednesday November 27 - Dental Screening
Thursday December 5 - Conservation of Energy workshops - various classes
When to stay home?
Click Here for a list of KFL&A exclusions. As a reminder, children should stay home until they have no fever and their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if they have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea). Once symptoms start improving, they are encouraged to return to school, if they are well enough to do so.
Hot Lunch
Hot Lunch - Orders Due by Sunday Noon
Once again this year we are using LunchBox to provide families with some options for hot lunch, should they wish to participate. Orders are due by NOON on Sunday for orders being delivered the following week.
Just a reminder that should buses be cancelled, hot lunches are also cancelled and credit will be provided to account.
To create an account and order hot lunches, use the guide below and linked here: Get The Guide
Parking!
Just a reminder that if you are bringing your child to school or picking up, that there is no parking on the north side of Norman Rogers Drive. Last week we were out reminding parents and guardians of this. Cars that are parked on the north side are subject to a ticket and we don't want you to get one! Please park on the south side of Norman Rogers to the east or west of the school. There is no parking in front of the school as that is a bus loading zone.
The parking lot is for staff only. Please do not drive into or through the parking lot. Walkers are encouraged not to walk through the parking lot, for safety reasons.
There are many places to park on neighbouring streets that only take a few moments to walk to the school from. Thank you for your help with this important safety matter.
Attendance Matters!
We will be working hard to promote regular attendance, at Centennial and all across the Limestone District School Board. We will be sharing information about how to set up healthy habits and we will be reaching out to families as attendance concerns arise. We want to work with you to promote regular attendance at school. If there is a way we can help you, please let us know!
Parking Zones
Please also do not park directly in front of the school as that is a bus loading zone. There are parking spaces available along Norman Rogers drive to the east and west of the school, and along a number of side streets close to the school.
Thank you for helping to ensure that students can arrive safely to school. There are crossing guards on both Johnson Street and Norman Rogers Drive to help families cross these busy road ways. We appreciate their hard work!
Recess
We go outside for recess rain or shine and as such, students should come to school prepared to go outside even if it is lightly raining. In the event of heavy rain we will remain indoors, but we try to be outside for recess whenever possible.
Nutrition Break & Lunches
Students have the opportunity to eat twice during the day at school. Lunches and snacks must be nut free please. This includes no peanut butter or nutella, or any kind of granola bar with nuts in it.
A reminder that Centennial participates in "Boomerang Lunch" which means that everything a child brings to school in their lunch bag, is returned home at the end of the day. In this way, parents/guardians can easily see what a child has or hasn't eaten in a day. Wrappers, containers, etc., will be sent home.
Insure My Kids
School Board Policy states that participation on school sports teams (both elementary and secondary) is conditional on obtaining at least the basic student accident insurance coverage for the student or proof of external private coverage through your family plan. The cost of basic coverage is approximately $17.00 per year. This covers the student while attending school during the school day. The time spent by students participating in school-sponsored teams is considered part of the school day, even if the games and/or practices are held outside of the regular school hours. It is recommended that all parents consider this program. Visit www.insuremykids.com to get this inexpensive and highly recommended insurance.
School Trips & Volunteers
To get a Vulnerable Sector Check you may be required to provide a letter from the school indicating that you will be volunteering. We can send this to you! Just email us at cente@limestone.on.ca and we are happy to provide you with the letter.
Recess & Nutrition Breaks
Students will have 2 recesses and 2 nutrition breaks. Recess is outside on a particular yard (we will flip/flop the space each day so students in Grades 1-6 have the opportunity to play on both parts of the yard each day). All staff will be wearing safety vests so they are easily recognizable. Nutrition breaks happen in classrooms.
We have several students with life-threatening allergies. A reminder that our school is nut aware: please ensure that your child's snacks and lunch do not contain any nut products. Classroom teachers will communicate any additional food allergies that families will need to be aware of. Thank you for your support in keeping all of our students safe!
What Do I Need To Bring? What Should Stay At Home?
All school supplies that students need for their learning and work will be provided by Centennial Public School. Sometimes students prefer to have their own pencil case with pencils/markers, but it is not a requirement.
Students do need to come to school with:
- Indoor, non-marking athletic type of shoes
- Water bottle with child's name clearly marked (we have bottle filling stations, not fountains)
- Nut-free snacks and lunch
Please label all items!
- items of value (sentimental or monetary)
- any kind of weapon (for example, a Swiss Army knife)
- any kind of toy that could be a replica weapon (for example, a toy gun)
- electronics of any kind
- jewelry
- make-up
- anything scented
- anything with nuts (please ensure all lunches and snacks are nut-free)
- toys and stuffies
Thank you for keeping these items at home. Sometimes a quick check of a backpack can ensure that treasures do not come to school. Thank you for understanding that we are not responsible for lost, broken or stolen personal items.
Parent/Guardian Drop Off & Pick Up
Student pick up happens at the exterior doors of the school at 3:25pm.
Indigenous Self-Identification
Please see the link below for more information and to self identify, if you wish.
Oliver's Labels
Do you need a way to label your things that stay labelled? Do you need a way to show what's yours? Need a way to label your child's things so they don't get lost or mixed up? Support Centennial Public School Council by purchasing through the link. The school receives 20% of your purchase! All funds raised go to support School Council initiatives including student activities. Thank you!
E-Store
Safe Arrival - How Do I Report An Absence?
How to report your absence:
1. Toll-free telephone
- Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.
2. School Messenger App
- Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the SchoolMessenger website portal, or from within the LDSB mobile app.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
- Visit the SchoolMessenger website portal.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
Centennial Public School
"Show Up! Stand Up! Never Give Up!"
Email: cente@limestone.on.ca
Website: https://centennial.limestone.on.ca
Location: 120 Norman Rogers Dr, Kingston, ON K7M 2R2
Phone: 613.546.5517
Twitter: @Centennial_LDSB